Wednesday, March 10, 2010

S: Galatians 1:3,4 - "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present age, according to the will of our God and father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

O: We live in a "present age" which is frightening to people outside the faith. But Paul's greeting at the beginning of this letter is for grace and peace for us (christians) from God and Jesus. He says we can have peace because Jesus gave himself for our sins to "rescue" us from the "present age". If I am rescued then I have no reason to be frightened but rather to have peace.

A: People all around us live in fear of all that is going on in our world and have not yet experienced the peace that comes from being rescued by Jesus death. The most loving thing I can do for them is to help them get rescued. Today I will pray and stay alert for people who are fearful and share Christ's love with them.

P: Father, help me today to be alert and to share Christ's love with people living in fear so they can be rescued from it.

3 comments:

Duet. 3:18 Yes, Obediently listen to God, your God. Keep all his commands that I am giving you today. Do the right thing in the eyes of God, your God.

This is my challenge. Do the right thing in the eyes of God. Many times I want to give in to my flesh and behave or speak in a grumbling manner at work. Sometimes I grumble to myself or worse yet to someone else(sorry Annie). I want to see people through God's eyes and remember their need to be rescued as He was kind enough to rescue ME! I want to love my Boss by his grace and not rely on any strength of my own.

Lord help me to remember not to embrace the belief systems of this world. Let me listen obediently to the voice of your spirit within me. Let me practice your Love on everyone I encounter today.

S: Deut. 15:1 & 4 At the end of every seven years you much cancel debts. 4 However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.

O: God did not want anyone to be poor in the promised land. Even if a debt was incurred, it was to be canceled after seven years. God opposes those who oppose the poor. I the poor are blamed for their situation. People assume they somehow got themselves there by choices they made (doesn't that thinking make it easier not to help, I know I've thought this way at times). God does not instruct the Israelites to investigate the poor and help them based on their circumstances. He tells them that there should be NO poor among them. Help no matter the circumstances.

A: I think its so easy to feel entitled to what we have and more. There is the, "I worked hard for what I have and where I'm at" mentality. Little credit is given to God. I want to remember that everything, literally everything I have is because God chose to bless me with it. Every day I want to remember to give thanks for all I have, never taking it for granted. I want to share it with others in need. This goes beyond things of monetary value to include spiritual gifts and love. The most important things God has called us to share with one another.

P: God, give me a willing and soft heart to the circumstances of others. Help me to remain always willing to help others in need in the ways sometimes only you may see.

Wow do I feel challenged by this verse. Thanks Wayne! Rescued from this present age. This world is not our eternal home, and to be wholeheartedly God's servant for life. Pierce my ear's Lord my God. (Deut 15: 16-17) Ray

Pray & Watch

Do you believe in God’s sovereignty? Do you believe that God is at work in your life and the lives of those around you? If the answer is “yes” then you must acknowledge that the people God puts in your life— family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and the clerk at the grocery store—are in your life for a reason. All these people matter to God. And what matters most is people finding Jesus.

«But what can I do?», you ask. You can reach out with acts of kindness and prayer. The apostle Paul said, «I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.» As Christ followers we are not here to convert or criticize. Only God has the power to change people’s hearts and only God has the authority to pass judgment. What we can do is Pray & Watch. Pray for God to draw people to himself. Watch for what he will do in their lives. We do this because we believe what matters most is people finding Jesus.

MRCC

Reaching one percent of our community one person at a time for the One who has given us grace and joy!